This initial projection is based on what I've identified as key need areas for each team; the four teams still alive in the NFL playoffs are slotted in the last four positions based on record.

There are 14 underclassmen among my projections for the first 32 picks of the 2005 NFL draft, including two of the top three. Utah junior quarterback Alex Smith gets the nod as the first overall pick, and his namesake, Stanford senior tight end Alex Smith, rounds out my first-round projections as the No. 32 overall selection to Pittsburgh.

Underclassmen who have not yet hired an agent have until Jan. 19 to pull out of the draft. The NFL conference championship games and Super Bowl also could impact the order of this list, so be sure to check back for updates as the offseason continues.

1. San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith (jr.), QB, Utah
A smart player who will pick up an NFL system quickly, Smith has good size, is mobile enough to hurt teams with his running ability and is also an efficient passer who can make all the necessary throws.

2. Miami Dolphins: Cedric Benson, RB, Texas
A strong, tough runner with good speed for his size, Benson would help fill the void left by the retirement of Ricky Williams. But there is speculation the Dolphins will attempt to fill their running back need through trade, perhaps for Buffalo's Travis Henry, so stay tuned.

3. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Rodgers (jr.), QB, California
Rodgers is a smart, accurate passer with a quick release. His arm strength is adequate and he is a better prospect at this point in his career than former Cal QB Kyle Boller, now the starter for the Baltimore Ravens.

4. Chicago Bears: Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn
Perhaps the most complete back in the draft, Brown can carry or catch the ball with equal skill. He has size, instincts and quickness that allowed him to put up excellent numbers at the college level.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carnell Wiliams, RB, Auburn
A creative, deceptive runner with tremendous natural skills. Williams can get tough yards inside despite lacking ideal size, a point illustrated by his 29 rushing TDs over the last two years.

6. Tennessee Titans: Adam Jones, CB, West Virginia
A good cover man who will also contribute as a kick returner, Jones has very good closing speed and is a willing tackler in run support. That may be his most important quality with the NFL hurting pass defenses by focusing on downfield infractions by defensive backs.

7. Oakland Raiders: Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma
A fiery, intense player who always goes all-out, Cody is similar to former NFL standout Kevin Greene in his ability to play on his feet as an outside linebacker, or in a three-point stance as a defensive end.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State
Johnson improved his stock immensely this year. He ties up offensive linemen and is able to gain penetration against the run as well as collapse the pocket in passing situations.

9. Washington Redskins: Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
Edwards has the size, speed and athleticism to take over games, and he did that several times in 2004. He also significantly cut down on dropped passes and concentration lapses this past season, pushing his stock even higher.

10. Detroit Lions: Heath Miller (jr.), TE, Virginia A tremendous pass receiver and a willing blocker along the line, Miller would give quarterback Joey Harrington another weapon to complement his wide receivers. He'll also be a help to running back Kevin Jones in the rushing attack.

12. San Diego Chargers (from NYG): Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas
Has the speed and strength to chase ballcarriers from sideline to sideline and make things happen when he gets to the ball.

13. Houston Texans: Mike Williams (jr.), WR, USC
Williams did not play in 2004 but dominated the college game for two seasons while at USC. His 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame gives him a big advantage over defensive backs, and he would make a perfect complement to young standout receiver Andre Johnson.

14. Carolina Panthers: Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Brown's long arms, good feet and balance allow him to engage defenders easily and move them off the ball or away from the quarterback.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami
The Chiefs likely will dedicate most of their draft to defense, and Rolle is a good start. He has the cover skills to shut down wide receivers and also gives up his body against the run.

16. New Orleans Saints: Thomas Davis (jr.), OLB, Georgia
A punishing tackler who played safety in college, Davis has the size and speed to move into the front seven and make an impact at the pro level.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
A force along the line of scrimmage, James can play the run, rush the passer and command double-team blocks. There are some durability questions, though, after he missed parts of the last two seasons with injury.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Shaun Cody, DL, USC
A versatile lineman who can play end or tackle, Cody would be a great fit for a Vikings team that has struggled at times along the defensive front.

19. St. Louis Rams: David Pollack, DE, Georgia
Pollack plays with tremendous intensity and his motor does not stop. He makes up for a lack of size with good initial quickness and great closing speed.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from BUF): Troy Williamson (jr.), WR, South Carolina
The fastest wideout in the draft, Williamson would be a great help to a team that lacked a consistent vertical threat.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alex Barron, OT, Florida State
Barron is equally adept in the passing and running games and has light feet for a player his size.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Roddy White, WR, UAB
White's 4.42 speed in the 40 gives him a size/speed combination in the elite category. He is a big-play wideout who averaged 20.0 yards per catch in 2004.

24. Green Bay Packers: Channing Crowder (so.), MLB, Florida
A tremendously productive player who adapted quickly to the collegiate game, Crowder has the ideal physical skills for a man in the middle.

25. Denver Broncos: Matt Roth, DE, Iowa
Roth is similar to David Pollack: undersized with a great motor and intensity. Roth was productive during his senior year and has good physical ability.

26. New York Jets: Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn
A consistent, durable corner who can cover and support the run, Rogers has played against some of the best talent in the nation during his career.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Browner (so.), CB, Oregon State
A consistent cover man with good size, Browner would make a nice complement to Atlanta's top pick last year, CB DeAngelo Hall.

28. San Diego Chargers: Roscoe Parrish (jr.), WR, Miami
Parrish has speed and would be a good option to round out a receiving corps bolstered by the addition of WR Keenan McCardell and the emergence of TE Antonio Gates.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Bryant McFadden, CB, Florida State
Did not intercept many passes, but that's because teams respected his ability and avoided his side of the field. McFadden has the size to match up with big receivers.

30. New England Patriots: Justin Miller (jr.), CB, Clemson
A good fit for a team thin in the secondary this season.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Tuck (jr.), DE, Notre Dame
Good size and strength. Would be an asset for a team that thrives on pressuring the quarterback.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Smith, TE, Stanford
An athletic pass receiver with great body control, Smith can stretch the deep middle and is a good hook-zone threat.

January 18th, 2005, 7:39 pm

lionsroar

Stats Boy

Joined: January 15th, 2005, 8:09 pmPosts: 16Location: Vermont

I think the Lions will be on the clock for about 10 seconds. Miller is a perfect fit that fills one of the their top two needs. Safety being the other now that Brock Marion is pushing 50.

January 18th, 2005, 11:28 pm

Pablo

RIP Killer

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 9:21 amPosts: 10041Location: Dallas

Well you called that one Brian after seeing Kiper's rankings with Miller at #4. Good call.

I'm OK with Miller at this point, but I'm going to have to read your scouting report in a few weeks to be sure...

January 18th, 2005, 11:31 pm

TheRealWags

Megatron

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12534

I starting to warm up to the idea of taking Miller in the first round. I think that he will give Joey a viable option at TE...let's just hope he can actually catch the ball

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January 19th, 2005, 10:01 am

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

As long as they address the need for a saftey at some point...really I cannot remember when I felt like the Lions were this complete a team though Taking a TE so high is in my mind a luxury pick and really speaks well of the strong young core on this team.

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder

January 19th, 2005, 10:39 am

TheRealWags

Megatron

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12534

Yeah, it feels pretty good, don't it

We do have some holes, but not as many as we usually have

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January 19th, 2005, 12:31 pm

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

Well it helps not to be going into a season Greg Hill at RB or Schroeder as our go to WR...We have receiver(s) and RBs. I also really like the depth of our RBs. Bryson surprised me a bit with his nice hands last season and Pinner can be a good change up from Jones on occasion.

The holes are not gapping ones and if Joey can find a rythm with the receivers I think we will see some big time production.

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder

January 19th, 2005, 12:38 pm

LionsFan4Life

Fired Head Coach (0-16 record)

Joined: October 30th, 2004, 12:30 pmPosts: 2205Location: Austin, TX

I think Miller would be a good fit for us @ TE. I do like Fitzsimmons though, so maybe we can get lucky and have 2 good TE's on the roster.

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January 19th, 2005, 1:31 pm

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

We can use the 2 TE set and make some major holes for KJ

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder

January 19th, 2005, 1:56 pm

TheRealWags

Megatron

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12534

theAlphaMale wrote:

We can use the 2 TE set and make some major holes for KJ

Yeah, as long as Casey has learned how to block. I did notice that he was doing better towards the end of the season.

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January 19th, 2005, 1:59 pm

Leo

3rd Round Selection

Joined: January 11th, 2005, 11:35 pmPosts: 1185

Let's suppose Kiper knows more than somebody sitting in their basement. Of the top 10 players on his big board. The only player than helps the Lions by filling a major need is Heath Miller.

I have no problem with them taking him at #10 they haven't had a real good TE since Charlie Sanders. And in every WCO I've ever seen it's the TE who makes that tough catch over the middle to keep the chains moving.

Alexander is a free agent and just dropped way to many easy catches this year including a couple TDs. Fitzsimmons is a solid backup. Which means TE could be a major need come draft time.

January 19th, 2005, 4:00 pm

Pablo

RIP Killer

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 9:21 amPosts: 10041Location: Dallas

Leo wrote:

Alexander is a free agent and just dropped way to many easy catches this year including a couple TDs. Fitzsimmons is a solid backup. Which means TE could be a major need come draft time.

Fitz is a FA as well. The Lions don't really have a TE on their 2005 roster unless you want to count a guy from the practice squad.

January 19th, 2005, 4:05 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10408Location: Where ever I'm at now

Heath Miller taken 10th overall

Personally I would see that pick as a HUGE reach. I don't feel Miller is of the same quality, while healthy, as Jeremy Shockey, who was taken 15th overall. Miller has great hands, and is a decent blocker, but lacks ideal speed. He certainly is an unfinished product and could become a better overall player. But you can't teach speed, and stretching the field involves a measure of that ingredient. I'm not saying tight end isn't a phenomenal need for the Lions, but I would prefer to see them make an attempt at trading down some spots. I don't see Miller being rated that highly overall by many teams, and given the top end talent that should be available with the tenth pick, I foresee the Lions getting some phone calls when they are on the clock. I don't foresee any of the teams (Dallas, San Diego, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City) picking ahead of New Orleans (16th overall) selecting a tight end. New Orleans may be willing to make a deal to move up and get one of the better linebackers or cornerbacks. The Saints aren't really interested in a defensive end, since they will likely let Darren Howard leave in free agency and replace him with Will Smith.

January 19th, 2005, 4:13 pm

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

Re: Heath Miller taken 10th overall

m2karateman wrote:

Miller has great hands

To me after last season that is the same as "you had me at hello"

and if he came here and caught those 6 yrd dogs...Joey would say

"you complete me!"

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder